Cole-Hamilton: After half a decade of Brexit damage, we need a UK-EU Customs Union deal

Marking five years since the UK left the European Union, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP has today (Friday 31st January) said that we need a brand-new UK-EU Customs Union deal to boost the economy and tear down trade barriers.

Mr Cole-Hamilton highlighted his party’s plans during a campaign visit to East Dunbartonshire, one of the most pro-remain parts of Scotland, where 71.4% of people voted to remain within the EU during the 2016 Brexit Referendum.

Mr Cole-Hamilton is campaigning alongside Marthos Christoforou who is standing in the Kirikintilloch North and East and Twechar council by-election, triggered by Liberal Democrat MP Susan Murray's election to Parliament.

Liberal Democrats are calling on the UK Government to form a Customs Union deal with the EU by 2030 at the latest.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said:

“We cannot just sit by and watch the damage wrecked by Brexit go from bad to worse. The UK must be far more positive, ambitious and urgent in building back ties with our closest trading partners.

“A Customs Union deal presents a key opportunity to turbocharge the economy- it’s why my party want to see the government negotiating one in the course of the next five years

“We live in a world where the president installed in the White House has threatened tariffs and flirted with the idea of trade wars. We must show Trump that the UK has alternatives and won’t be bullied into taking whatever he offers us- to do that, we need a closer, stronger relationship with Europe.

“The economic benefits of a Customs Union deal cannot be overstated. The UK Government should stop ruling it out, focus on working towards one and prioritise tearing down trade barriers that have already harmed so many businesses across the country.”